Christian Churches of God

No. 86z

 

 

 

Summary:

Faith and Works

(Edition 2.0 19950701-20000327)

This paper shows the relationship between Faith and Works. It shows the requirement to repent from dead works. The demonstration of faith is seen to be held, by the apostles, to be from works.

 

 

Christian Churches of God

PO Box 369,  WODEN  ACT 2606,  AUSTRALIA

 

E-mail: secretary@ccg.org

 

 

 

(Copyright © 1995, 2000 Wade Cox)

(Summary ed. Wade Cox)

 

This paper may be freely copied and distributed provided it is copied in total with no alterations or deletions. The publisher’s name and address and the copyright notice must be included.  No charge may be levied on recipients of distributed copies.  Brief quotations may be embodied in critical articles and reviews without breaching copyright.

 

This paper is available from the World Wide Web page:
http://www.logon.org and http://www.ccg.org

 

 


Summary: Faith and Works


 

It is a fundamental truth that the just will live by faith (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:38). A lot of people today make the mistake of thinking that faith takes the place of keeping God’s law. Christ himself stated that the law was made up of parts and the important matters are justice, mercy and faith. He said these things must be done, without neglecting the others (Mat. 23:23).

 

Faith is a pillar of the law, not a replacement. Indeed, without faith the law can’t be kept in a hostile environment. The Passover was kept by Moses through faith, not as a precursor to faith. So faith preceded the law and is part of the law (Heb. 11:28).

 

So-called modern Christians believe they will be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. But this is only partially true. A Christian must repent from dead works. There are actions and thinking patterns by which we are disqualified from eternal life (Heb. 6:1-12). We must be obedient to the laws of God, by which we become perfect (Jas. 2:22; Jn. 6:28-29; Heb. 11:1-39).

 

Faith is the essential element by which we obey God within His law. The faithful of the past still haven’t received God’s promise of eternal life, which is stored up for them. Faith alone isn’t an assurance of salvation. Faith is coupled to the law for the wellbeing of the individual as an indispensable element in healing (Jas. 5:15).

 

Faith helps us to love our neighbour as ourselves. We are not to show respect of persons or partiality, which is sin. God is not a respecter of persons (2Sam. 14:14; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Jas. 2:1-26). Faith has always been accompanied by works.

 

Abraham was justified by works (Rom. 4:2). Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:21-26). The commandments to love God are kept by faith and through works, i.e. keeping the seventh day Sabbath holy. The commandments to love our neighbour are demonstrated by works and not by faith alone.

 

The key to the kingdom of God is obedience through faith in Jesus Christ. The least of the commandments are not to be broken (Mat. 5:19; 19:16-22). If we say we love God and do nothing, then we aren’t keeping the faith and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Words without action are meaningless (Eph. 6:1-20).

 

Faith is one of the parts of the armour of God.

 

The Bible, especially the Old Testament Scriptures, is the word of God, which is the main weapon, the sword of the spirit, against the adversary. Satan, the deceiver, seeks to subvert the people of God with false teaching that eliminates the laws of God and replaces them with the commandments of men (Mat. 15:9; Mk. 7:7).

 

To know God is to keep God’s law (1Jn. 2:3). If anyone says it isn’t essential to keep God’s law they are liars and the truth is not in them (1Jn. 2:4). Do not be deceived by false teachers who preach the doctrines of demons. There is no light in them! (Isa. 8:20).